On the first day of spring, the YMCA of Callaway County celebrated the season change by dedicating a new .6 mile fitness trail surrounding the facility at 1715 Wood St. in Fulton.

Photo by Don Norfleet

Rick Gohring, YMCA board president, cuts the ribbon Tuesday on a new .6 mile fitness trail surrounding the Callaway County YMCA. With him at far left is Patty Miller, YMCA executive director, along with red-coated Ambassadors from the Kingdom of Callaway Chamber of Commerce.

Rick Gohring, president of the YMCA board of directors, cut the ribbon in a ceremony attended by members of the board, ambassadors from the Kingdom of Callaway Chamber of Commerce, and members of the YMCA.

“This new fitness trail is a great addition to the YMCA’s wellness program. It demonstrates the tremendous growth in this program with its excellent staff and volunteers,” Gohring said.

“Even though there are a few finishing touches remaining on our new fitness trail,” said YMCA Executive Director Patty Miller, “we wanted to open it to take advantage of this great weather we are having. We want people to feel comfortable using the trail as soon as possible.”

Miller said the $30,000 trail has nine workout stations along the trail near the YMCA building and six additional stations on the trail away from the building.

Sara McDaniel, YMCA sports and recreation director, said people can walk or jog along the trail or they can stop at the workout stations along the trail to perform suggested exercises to supplement walking.

Signs at stations along the trail encourage use of equipment for suggested workouts. The equipment includes stairs for stair-stepping exercises along with equipment for pushups, balancing and stretching.

“We have 15 workout stations in all. People can use as many or as few of the workout stations as they want,” McDaniel said.

Miller said the new trail, which meanders around the L-shaped YMCA building, has lighting close to the building for people who want to use the workout stations in the evening.